some amphibian species are fast disappearing from Assam, according to a recent study. Around half of the species studied showed a decrease of more than 50 per cent in their population density. Observations were made over a five-year period (1998-2002) in Garbhanga reserve forest and Nameri national park, and over a three-year period (2001-2003) in the Borjan area of the Bherjan-Borjan-Padumoni wildlife sanctuary.

Of the 15 species found in Garbhanga in 1998, three could not be spotted in 2002. Six showed a 90 per cent decrease in their population density. Similar trends were noticed in other areas